&*&$%^ Microsoft!

[Flyer]

I'm not a Microsoft hater ... really, but sometimes the decisions they make in the design of their software really annoys the hell out of me.

During the night, there must have been some Windows updates downloaded; this morning, my server had rebooted and my main PC was asking for permission to install the updates. OK, go ahead ...

I'm in the middle of a website so have Dreamweaver and Flash open, both with open, unsaved files. The Flash file has been a bit of a b%&^*$d, and I've spent far too long on it, but looks good now. I've just had a call from the client about some changes to the site; I cut about 20 lines of code from the Dreamweaver file and paste it into a new file for later use, whilst speaking to her.

All the while, there's a nag message coming up every couple of minutes about Windows needing to reboot to finish the update. I repeatedly tell it to Restart later (damn annoying feature #1: I'll reboot when I want to); I'm in the middle of stuff and it's not convenient.

The phone call has lasted 45 minutes and by now I'm desperate for some coffee, so saunter off to make one, forgetting all about the nag message. It shouldn't matter though, as Windows Update will make sure that any open files are saved first, and if it can't save them, will wait for further instruction ...

EXCEPT IT DOESN'T!! Come back to find the computer starting up. Open Dreamweaver and the document with the 20 lines of code has gone. Open Flash and the changes I've been working on this morning have gone

Stupid, stupid software design. It does not do an automatic save of open files, or if there's a file that hasn't been named yet, it doesn't stop and wait. How irresponsible of MS

So, lesson learned; if you see that nag message, save everything, close the programs yourself and reboot.

Now, what text did she say she wanted changing ...

 

[Steve_Perry]

Yep I had the same problem last night too, the updates consisted of the latest version of the malicious software removal tool and one security patch. I was just browsing and tinkering with my new mobile phone set-up but the reboot nag screen gets damned annoying. You can turn off auto-updates or have it so that it reminds you about new patches but does not install them. If you want to keep your full auto update status then plan a holiday on the first tuesday of every month as this is when the M$ updates are usually released.

S.

 

[andy_k]

same thing here as well - I was working and didn't want to restart but gave up in thge ned because the nag screen was there every minute or so and I've been caught out like you before.

I agree, that's probably one of the most annoying features of windoze

Andy

 

[scotth_uk]

Um..... Shakes head. Would never ever let windows update with applications open. Ever.

Isn't it just good practice when you know the limitations of windows? Updates are likely to replace core files you are using at the time, so best bet would be to close it them all down.

 

[Spinal]

Same here, but nothing important interrupted; I had just printed my report (handed it in 15mins ago That said, I do think that its an "effective" way to make sure that there are as few zombies as possible... Its just not too friendly
Michele

 

[andy_k]

yeah I know but I normally let it update itself in the small hours so it's never an issue. this time I wa working late and I didn't realise what it was up to until it was too late - bah

Andy

 

[SimonsMerc]

If you use windows...save constantly. Heard *so* many stories like this. Various reasons, always loss of data, always would have been provided if you hit the 'save' hotkey instinctively every so often.

-simon

 

[frog1520]

I don't understand how it can ever be a good idea to install these patches automatically. Its OK to be alerted to the new patches and download them automatically, but unattended installs and reboots sounds like a bad idea to me.